Fast and furious, fingers flying with a fiery panache, Söndörgő are one of the most exciting bands in Europe. With their signature instrument, the tambura, the band brilliantly combines respect for tradition with a desire to innovate and a fizzing virtuosity. 

For further information, visit www.worldmusic.net/sondorgo

Listening to the band play, you soon hear it’s nothing like traditional violin-led Hungarian music. Söndörgő’s sound is light, springy and delicately plucked. Their signature instrument is the tambura, a mandolin-like instrument, probably of Turkish origin, used by the South Slav (Serbian and Croatian) communities in Hungary.  

The band is made up of three brothers, Áron, Benjamin and Salamon Eredics, plus cousin Dávid Eredics and Attila Buzás, the only non-family member, on bass tambura. Áron Eredics is also part of the band Vujicsics, winners of Hungary’s most prestigious state-sponsored cultural award, the Kossuth Prize, in 2014.
Tamburocket is Söndörgő’s second international release and features revived tunes drawn from the rich Hungarian archives and annals of the countries esteemed song-collectors and musicologists of yore. 

Tracks featured here that were first collected by national hero Béla Bartók include the dance tune ‘Drago Kolo’, played as a duet by Áron and Salamon; ‘Srpski Madjarik’, arranged for the basszprímtambura (alto tambura) and cello tambura and ‘Majka Kceru’, a rather sedate wedding song in its original version but reworked by Söndörgő in a more ferocious rhythm. 

The two melodies from ethnographer Tihamér Vujicsics were both collected by the Drava river, a tributary of the Danube, which marks much of the border between Hungary and Croatia. The opening ‘Jozo’ is a nonsensical love song, with the original Croatian bagpipe part transferred onto the samica, a small, home-made tambura. The closing ‘Kolovoda’ is a dance song for a kolo ring dance, the most popular folkdance of the South Slavs. 
‘Marice’ is a popular Croatian song named after a girl that all the guys lust after, but can’t get. ‘Evo Srcu’ features two slower Serbian melodies from Vojvodina, the northern region of Serbia. ‘Hulusination’ is based on a Macedonian čoček dance tune, but Söndörgő have brought in a sort of Chinese snake-charmer’s pipe called the hulusi (hence the punning title), plus other wind and percussion to create a powerful trance-like track.  

What Söndörgő combine brilliantly is a respect for the traditions, a desire to innovate and a fizzing unstoppable virtuosity. 


Buy Now

Söndörgő: Jozo (taken from the album Tamburocket Hungarian Fireworks)

The Peat Fire Flame/The Highland Laddie

01 Beaumont Rag

Waltz #2 (XO)

From Hot Rize's first studio album in almost 25 years.

Blue Is Fallin'

& The Side – New Minuet / Confluence

Composer : Rónán Regan
Tune Name : Music Is The Answer
Tune Type : Reel
Musicians : Rónán Regan ( fiddle ), Irene Guckian ( fiddle )
Website : www.drumshanbows.com

I'm from Salthill, Galway and am a primary school teacher on Inis Mór, Árainn.  I began composing tunes in 2001 as a result of a music course that I was on in Falcarragh, in North West Donegal.  I remember wondering, why compose new tunes when there are so many beautiful old tunes and settings of old tunes to explore!  None-the-less, I'm grateful I was given the opportunity and have enjoyed composing since.  

Irene Guckian and I recently released an album called 'Drumshanbows' which is being well received.  Irene joins me on this track, 'Music Is The Answer'.  I composed the first half of this reel in Russia in early November 2011 where I was teaching dance and completed the second half when I returned home to Ireland.  It remained 'Gan Ainm' until last year when; in response to an article I was asked to write for the 2013 Connacht Fleadh Booklet; I named it 'Music Is The Answer'.  I've included the article below and hope you enjoy....

Music is the answer?                                      

I was having a tune the other day in the house with Irene Guckian and noticed that she had on one of those fashionable Joe Mooney Summer School hoodies.  I thought to myself, happy days and happy memories of music and dance in wonderful Drumshanbo and didn't think much more of it as we settled into a few tunes; kicking off with 'The Magic Slipper' and 'The Ballinafad Polka'; if my memory serves correct.  On and on we went, mullling over the music of Morrison, Duignan, Blessing, and McKenna and the mighty, hearty music of the McDonagh brothers of Ballinafad, tipping our caps to the artistry of Josie McDermott's 'Ballad of the O'Carolan Country' and lauding the lyricism of the Lennon's.  
The Music of this region, around the Carrick area, and more generally that of North Connacht, is a music that I've always gravitated towards, a lifty, lyrical, fluid and hearty style of music.  Perhaps that my granddad Martin Regan was from near neighbouring Ballaghdereen might go some way toward explaining this leaning.  Growing up in the Wilf and Áine Regan school of induction didn't hurt either.    It's not an exaggeration to say that the surrounding hinterland has produced magical music in the past and happily to this day it's a musical mecca with no more than the occasional modicum of mediocrity!  It's a fitting spot for the celebration of the Connacht Fleadh as it's a town of good humoured folk with a love for music, and you'll find plenty of character in the hostelries and much musical excitation exuding from the nooks and crannies of Carrick.  No doubt the place will ooze hup for the fleadh!
Anyway, away played Irene and I, seeking fiddling finesse, for we were preparing for our forthcoming recording, and speaking for myself, I'd finally decided to take the great Danny Meehan's advice to heart and take my music seriously  when didn't I get distracted with the phrase on the back of Irene's hoodie.  What was on the back of her hoodie but 'Music Is The Answer'.  That's a fine sentiment and worthy of examination, thought I.  The first thought that struck me of course was, if I had had the foresight to ask Irene what was written on the back of her hoodie we could have become entangled in a dangerous and downright raucous ream of rhetoric.  In all seriousness and with a decree of solemn certitude; across the span of my lifetime the wonderful hobby of traditional Irish music making has brought me on journey's of great philosophical insight, camaraderie and craic.
The tuneful journey of music making is surely an interesting one.  For me, it's a bridge of friendships, and of learning, tutelage and shared experience.  This current project has seen Irene and I work alongside the diverse talents of Gary Fitzpatrick, Jim Connolly, Mick Blake, Ciaran Curran, Tommy Murray, Paddy Ryan and Ben Lennon at various stages.  This 'job of journeywork' or rubbing shoulders with creative and interesting people, allow humbling gems of wisdom to poke through and the collective of stories and conversation add to ones appreciation and understanding of life and of our rich musical heritage.  Not least of these gems are carried with the brave people who emigrated and are once again emigrating from our shores to assail adventure and eke a livelihood, and who are most especially celebrated at this year's Fleadh.  
Earlier musical journeys come to mind;  visits with Kevin Abeyta to North Leitrim on the way back from Falcarragh, enjoying the musical company of Kathleen Meehan, Ben Lennon, Rosie Stewart and Jim Connolly or childhood trips to Gormanstown or time spent at Connaught Fleadhanna in Dunmore where delightful tunes and company with Paddy Mills (RIP) were had and the magical memory of interesting musical chat with Paddy Fahy spring forth.  This dulcet journey has continued apace and in recent times has seen the exuberance of dancing to the mighty musicianship of Brian Mostyn and P. J. Hernon, the joy of hearing the unique musical voices of Brian Rooney, Danny Meehan and many another celebrated in Cryan's music pub or simply enjoying the powerful Moylurg Ceilí band in full swing.
Music has certainly given me huge cross-generational and cultural understanding and has added a congenial hue to my geographical and historical understanding of our fond and floundering Éire.
So, is music in fact the answer?  That it's a question of a propitious and profound nature is certainly unquestionable, in fact, it could be argued that it's the linchpin of many a fleadh lovers existence!  If we look at the best qualities in music, the ability to be true and to reach out and create unity or shared understanding,  these are the characteristics that fly high long after the triumphs and anxieties of competition and critique pass by.  If we manage to harness these qualities in ourselves as listener or musician then perhaps music is the answer.  On a lighter note, in relation to the Fleadh in Carrick-On-Shannon, we could always heed T.S. Elliot's advice: 'Oh do not ask what is it, let us go and make our visit!'  
One way or another, I hope we have an enjoyable Connacht Fleadh in Carrick and a huge thanks to those who've make this and other such events happen, and to those that lend their perceptive ears to the music, people such as Mary Mostyn, Mary Blake, Bernie McNulty and Nancy Woods spring to mind to name but a few.  As Ben Lennon said when I was writing my UL thesis on the North Leitrim Style, 'Look after the music and the music will look after you' and we all have a hand to play in that!
Bain taitneamh as Fleadh Cheoil Chonnacht i gCora Droma Rúisc.  
Rónán Regan



Music Is The Answer Rónán Regan (2011)

Who was Aed mac Colgan and what connection did he have to Loch Dá Dámh? The very earliest Gaelic writings appeared on the edges of sacred manuscripts. Perhaps the scribes of these early days, jaded by the painstaking work of the scriptorium, occasionally indulged in a creative flourish on the edges of the page. Or recounted a fragment of a well known poem. 


Dramatis Personae -Rann Gairid

Taken from our new album 'The Twelve Pins' that will be released Nov 28th, 'The Commodore' is composed by the Brooklyn accordion player Billy McComiskey.

Follow us on 
Facebook: facebook.com/bullysacre
Twitter: twitter.com/bullysacreband
Website: www.bullysacre.com

For info and bookings
info@bullysacre.com


The Commodore

Donal Lunny wrote this slip jig for the O’Riada Retrospective in 1987. 

Taken from our debut album to be released Nov 28th.

Follow us on 
Facebook: facebook.com/bullysacre
Twitter: twitter.com/bullysacreband
Website: www.bullysacre.com

For info and bookings
info@bullysacre.com


Leppadumdowledum

Flings: Maggie Pickins/ Turnhill

A bit of improvisation in 7/8 from Peter, Lucas and Robbie! 
Taken from Bully's Acre debut Album THE TWELVE PINS.
Release date Nov 28th

Follow us on 
Facebook: facebook.com/bullysacre
Twitter: twitter.com/bullysacreband
Website: www.bullysacre.com

For info and bookings
info@bullysacre.com


New track with Isaac Eicher on the electric mandola, Jordan Hehl on bass, and Jared Johnson on drums!

Lullaby Of Birdland

The debut EP from the genre enveloping power-folk band!

Released 28 March 2014 

Flute - Liz Meyer 
Soprano Saxophone - Benjamin Hill 
Alto Saxophone - Jake Thornton 
Guitar - Grant Bain 
Bass - Sal Broughton 
Cajón & Percussion - Ben Weatherill 

Recorded, Produced & Mastered by Ben Weatherill 

Artwork by Ben Weatherill

An Dro

Special awareness raising song about Lyme Disease called Once Bitten, Twice Shy written by Elaine Griffin and recorded by Elaine Griffin & The Tickets

Musicians:
Elaine Griffin: lead vocal, rhythm guitar & backing vocals
The Tickets:
Liam Halloran: lead guitar & backing vocals
Joseph Halloran: drums & backing vocals
Michael Halloran: upright bass
Gert Nungesser: dobro
Tim Rogers: mandolin & backing vocals

You can purchase this CD pack by clicking on the link below. It includes essential information on how to prevent Lyme Disease, instructions on how to remove an embedded tick properly and a credit card style tick remover do it with. It is an ideal gift for joggers, hikers, gardeners, farmers, golfers, freshwater fishermen and anybody who spends time in the great outdoors. The tick remover card can be used perfectly on humans and animals alike. 10 % of total sales goes to ticktalkireland.org, Ireland's lyme disease awareness and support group. Everybody needs to have one of these in their homes.......it could literally save your life!

To purchase this product go online to www.oncebittentwiceshycd.com

Here are the postal latest postal dates to ensure you recieve your CD pack in time for Christmas:

Latest postal dates to guarantee delivery in time for Christmas

USA 					        December 5th
Europe 					December 13th
UK 						December 19th
Rep of Ireland and N Ireland	December 20th 
Rest of World 				December 5th




Once Bitten Twice Shy

A conversation with graphic designer Vahram Muratyan about his book 'About Time: A Visual Memoir Around the Clock.'

For background, context, and a peek at the illustrations from the book, go here: http://www.brainpickings.org/2014/12/01/vahram-muratyan-about-time-interview/

MORE / PEEK INSIDE

About Time: Maria Popova in conversation with Vahram Muratyan

This is the first track from TinWhistler's first album. 

The album, simply called TinWhistler, can be purchased on our Bandcamp page (http://TinWhistler.bandcamp.com) in CD+digital and digital. It can also be purchased (digital only) on these online stores: 

- iTunes (https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/tinwhistler/id943617739) 

- Google Play (https://play.google.com/store/music/album/TinWhistler_TinWhistler?id=Br2dxjd37jkzchlouyh43rff4te) 

- Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PVCHB1S). 

It can be listened to for free on our Bandcamp page and also on Spotify.

Our videos on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/TinWhistler
Our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/PJTinWhistler
Our Twitter: http://twitter.com/PJTinWhistler

Thanks for listening!

Castle Kelly And The Man Of The House (track from TinWhistler's first album)

From Andrew Bird's forthcoming Hands Of Glory, a musical companion to Break It Yourself, available October 30th via Mom+Pop. 

--

Upcoming Andrew Bird Tour Dates:

10-10 Orlando, FL - House of Blues * 
10-12 Houston, TX - House of Blues * 
10-13 Austin, TX - Austin City Limits 
11-06 Paris, France - Les Inrocks 
11-08 London, England - Roundhouse 
11-10 Lisbon, Portugal - Aula Magna 
11-11 Cartagena, Spain - Cartagena Jazz Festival 
11-12 Barcelona, Spain - Sala Apolo 
11-14 Milan, Italy - Magazzini Generali 
11-16 Enschede, Netherlands - Crossing Border Festival - Wilmink Theatre 
11-17 The Hague, Netherlands - Crossing Border Festival -- The Royal 
11-19 Copenhagen, Denmark - Amager Bio

* with Here We Go Magic

p

Kevin Walsh 789